Vietnam-Italy continue to promote economic and trade cooperation

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam highly values and advocates promoting and deepening the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership.

Thủ tướng Phạm Minh Chính tiếp ông Attilio Fontana, Chủ tịch Vùng Lombardia, Italy. (Nguồn: TTXVN)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Mr. Attilio Fontana, President of Lombardy region, Italy. (Source: VNA)

On the afternoon of October 6, at the Government headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Mr. Attilio Fontana, President of the Lombardy region of Italy and the region's delegation in the fields of economics , industry and education who are on a working visit to Vietnam.

Appreciating the delegation's visit at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1973-2023) and the 10th anniversary of strategic partnership (2013-2023), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh believes that the visit will contribute to creating new momentum to promote relations between the two countries in general and between the Lombardy region and Vietnamese localities and enterprises in particular.

Affirming that Vietnam highly values and advocates promoting and deepening the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership, the Prime Minister was pleased to see that the cooperation between the two countries is increasingly deepening, with many good results in various fields. In particular, after the recent state visit by President Vo Van Thuong, which was very successful with many imprints, creating an important foundation to contribute to promoting the Vietnam-Italy bilateral relationship in the new period.

The President of Lombardy and members of the delegation informed the Prime Minister about the results of the working visit to Vietnam, affirming that Vietnam is an important partner, highly appreciating Vietnam's potential for sustainable and comprehensive development with correct and appropriate development orientations and policies in terms of economy, society, environment, especially the "people-centered" viewpoint, abundant young population...

Emphasizing the great potential for cooperation between the Lombardy region and localities of Vietnam with many similarities, the President of the Lombardy region and members of the delegation proposed measures to promote cooperation between the two countries in a number of fields such as agriculture, industry, aviation, high technology, higher education, etc. to turn potential and opportunities into specific projects and cooperation activities.

The President of Lombardy also said that the Region wishes to strengthen cooperation and access the ASEAN market through Vietnam.

The Prime Minister suggested that the two sides continue to promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation on the basis of promoting similarities and complementarities; Italy promotes market opening for products that Italy has demand for and Vietnam has strengths in such as textiles, footwear, agricultural products, seafood, etc.; increase the exchange of business delegations, make good use of the EVFTA Agreement, and urge the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the yellow card for Vietnam's seafood exports.

Affirming that Vietnam is ready to be a bridge to promote economic and trade relations between Italy and ASEAN, the Prime Minister also suggested that the two sides further promote cooperation in culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchange; study the opening of a direct flight between Vietnam and Italy; support Vietnam in developing the fashion industry, cultural industry, football, and vocational training; strengthen cooperation in the fields of digital transformation, high technology, innovation, green transformation, circular economy development, renewable energy, and climate change response.

Appreciating the Lombardy region for its rich historical and cultural traditions and being one of the most dynamic economic regions in the EU and Italy with a total GDP of 368 billion Euros, contributing 1/4 of Italy's GDP, the Prime Minister suggested that the Lombardy region consider the possibility of establishing a partnership with a socio-economic region of Vietnam, such as the Red River Delta with Hanoi, the Southeast region with Ho Chi Minh City...

The President of Lombardy region and delegates said they will continue to actively discuss with relevant agencies of both countries to promote cooperation in all fields, especially the contents that the Prime Minister has commented on, on the basis of effectiveness, practicality, and suitability to the needs and capabilities of both sides.

The Italian Ambassador to Vietnam affirmed that he will actively promote the opening of direct flights between the two countries.

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